Background: Open hernioplasty is one of the most common surgical treatments [1]. The aim of the mesh used in hernia repair should be to reinforce the abdominal wall without reducing the mobility by excessive scarring [2]. Worldwide over a million meshes are implanted every year [3]. Complications such as foreign body sensation and reduced life quality are described in the follow-up and depends on the size and structure of the incorporated material [12] Polyester mesh is hydrophilic as opposed to hydrophobic prosthesis such as polypropylene mesh or polytetrafluoroethylene mesh and thus encourages early biologic fixation and collagen ingrowth into surrounding tissue[5]. Objective: Evaluate the effect of type of mesh (polypropylene mesh versus polyester mesh) used during hernia repair on mean-time outcomes mainly focusing on post-operative wound infection, development of seromas, post-operative return to work, post-operative foreign body awareness and recurrence. Methods: A total of 50 cases of anterior abdominal wall hernias are selected and divided into Group A that consists of 25 cases of hernioplasty done using polypropylene mesh and Group B that consists of 25 cases of hernioplasty done using polyester mesh. They are studied and followed up using standard questionnaire at Sir T. Hospital and Government Medical College, Bhavnagar, Gujarat (364001). Results: Among 50 cases studied, percentage of male patients was higher than that of female patients. The use of synthetic polyester mesh in the hernioplasty results in no or decreased incidences of wound infection, seroma formation and foreign body sensation. It can also be concluded that Polyester mesh is cost effective in terms of hospital stay duration and early resumption of work. Conclusion: In this study use of polyester mesh for hernioplasty have more satisfactory outcomes as compared to polypropylene mesh when various parameters are compared.

Keywords: Hernioplasty; mesh; polypropylene; polyester.